Foster Edwards in 2015 after announcing his retirement from the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce. His new job at the San Patricio Economic Development Corp. takes him across the Harbor Bridge, seen just over Edwards’ shoulder. Photo by Carrie Robertson Meyer/Third Coast Photo
When Foster Edwards interviewed for the job as president of the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, he presented the board with a 100-day plan: a list of about 25 points that included setting up a Southside Business Council and increasing membership and member education.
Going over that list more than six years later as he prepares to retire from the job, Edwards leans back in his chair with a look of satisfaction.
“I think I can check off all of it,” he said, “which is one of the reasons it’s time to go, probably.”
Edwards gave the chamber — and the community — a six-months’ notice in May. His last day will be Oct. 31.
“It’s time to pass the baton to the next runner and let them go,” he told Corpus Christi Business News from his office at 1501 N. Chaparral in Heritage Park.
Looking for that next runner in the relay began soon after Edwards’ announcement, said Gabe Guerra, chairman of the chamber’s board of directors. The board plans to hire a search firm to spread the net wide in a process he hopes will take no more than 60 days.
“We welcome all applicants,” Guerra said when asked about whether local candidates would be considered. “In casting a wide net, we want to make sure we have a wide array of applicants with different backgrounds and experience.”
Foster offered some advice for whomever the board eventually hires.
“Listen to your membership would be my advice,” he said. “That’s such a key factor. What do they need? What do they want?”
The incoming president will certainly have a lot of members to hear. Under Foster’s leadership, the chamber has more than doubled in size from 400 members to a little more than 1,100 today.
“We used to say Corpus Christi has so much promise, that Corpus Christi is almost getting there,” Edwards said. “Now, you look at where we are and the promise is being realized right now, and that’s been really fun. The economy is good. We’ve become a large chamber.”
When asked about his greatest accomplishment as chamber president, Edwards had to think a minute before answering that he helped “put the chamber back on track.”
“When I got here, the chamber was in disrepair,” he said. “But now, we’ve improved the finances, the programing and the advocacy.”
While Edwards doesn’t mind taking some of the credit for the chamber’s success in recent years, he’s quick to share the spotlight with board members, chamber members and staff.
“It’s not just me,” he said. “It’s a group effort. It’s all of us together.”
A native of San Antonio, Edwards moved to the Sparkling City by the Sea in 1979 for a job he planned to leave in three to five years. His grand plan was to move on to a larger city, where he would eventually stay.
“I grew to love this city and didn’t want to leave,” he said, listing what he called the trite-but-true attributes of friendly people, beautiful beaches and laid-back atmosphere.
“It’s a big enough community,” he said. “It’s not too big. It’s big enough to have all the amenities and small enough that you can go to the H-E-B and run into people you know.”
As he prepares to transition into something new, yet undetermined, Edwards sees a bright future for his adopted hometown. He sees well-managed growth as the major organizations and government bodies work together to improve the current infrastructure and build for the future. He also sees the chamber continuing to grow in membership and influence in the community.
“I want them to do well in the future,” he said. “My temptation is for them to just explode now. We’ve laid some great groundwork. There’s a whole lot of good things going on. I want them to take this and go for it. I guess that’s what I’m excited about: the possibilities for the future of the chamber and the city, too.”
The possibilities for Edwards are limitless as well, he said. At 67 years old, he’s not ready to retire to daily golf outings and puttering around the house.
“I’m confident I’ll do something next,” he said. “I can’t picture myself retired. I want to do something. I just don’t know what that is yet. I want to do something where I can make a difference and have some fun.”
